REVIEW: GRADY-WHITE CANYON 376

HIGHS

• Superb handling and ride

• Feisty performance

• Excellent fishing layout

LOWS

• Good value for its size and capability, but it’s not exactly cheap

REVIEW: GRADY-WHITE CANYON 376

If this review comes across as somewhat biased, then I have to admit I am unequivocally smitten by the Grady-White Canyon 376. And like in the early throes of love, I am struggling to find fault. In my defence, I challenge anyone not to be amazed after an offshore run in this mega centre console.

THE BUILDER

Grady-White boasts a proud history back to the middle of last century when Glen Grady and Don White collaborated to produce beautiful timber boats as much works of art as functional fishing and cruising craft. However, the partners ran into trouble when the fickle public turned to the more practical fibreglass offerings of other manufacturers. Fortunately, Edward Smith Jnr happened along just in time to save the brand by embracing the new technology and combining his entrepreneurial skills with wise staff selection to grow the company, while maintaining the dedication to quality that the name enjoyed. Grady-White now thrives as a respected American marque with a commitment to fishing boats and a significant share of the domestic console sector.

THE FINISH

The 376 boasts a C. Raymond Hunt Design SeaV2 hull with a sharp entry that gradually flattens to a 20-degree deadrise at the transom. Under the prominent flare in the bow, a high chine line progressively increases in size back to amidships where it adds to stability and ride. The underfloor structure of stringers, bulkheads and cross members are timber free, and the composite transom is reinforced with aluminium bracing. All ’glass is hand laid, and there’s a vinylester layer under the gelcoat for added resistance to osmosis.

Jumping aboard the big Grady is like entering an alternative universe. It feels enormous for a console, yet at the same time, compact and sporty compared to a similarly sized flybridge. This physical disconnect played out once we were underway with the reassuring ride of a large cruiser and the precise handling of a sportsboat. Adding to the mind games was the difficulty getting my head around the concept this is a fishing weapon. Does anyone seriously want to bring a bloody fish aboard this beautiful craft? Thank goodness the nearly two-metre wide, 275lt refrigerated killtank at the transom is so handy and accommodating.

At the centre of the boat’s appeal is a console, befitting the Grady’s impressive size and ability. The impeccably moulded structure wraps around the helm and is so all-encompassing under the shade of a sleek T-top there’s even an air-conditioner, a seemingly anomalous feature in an open boat. The helm is at the centre of three chairs behind a wide dash with an electrically operated section that raises two 16in Garmin screens into view while protecting them from the elements at the marina.

Behind the helm and forward of the roomy cockpit is a comprehensive tackle station – what Grady calls its Deluxe Lean Bar – including two livebait tanks with clear lids, a rigging table, knife storage rack, six rodholders, six tackle drawers, a large storage drawer and a Kenyon electric barbecue.

A generous four-metre beam gives the uncluttered cockpit a wide-open fishing platform with everything sensibly laid out and right at hand. And being a centre console, there’s room all around the boat for fishing. A gate in the starboard corner allows a capture to be hauled aboard and also gives access to a swimplatform with folding ladder. Coamings are comfortably padded and moulded toeholds will help keep you in place, the transom seat folds out of the way for fishing and gunwale height is reassuringly safe.

The bow area offers concessions as a family entertainer with plush wraparound seating, soft backrests, recessed grabrails and multiple cupholders, but take away the padding and you get a giant casting deck, raised well above the water for improved visibility for finding elusive targets. Hinting at the boat’s entertaining bent is the 17-people capacity with seats and cupholders for everyone. Insulated fish boxes under each lounge have overboard drains and lids with rubber gaskets to keep them quite, while up in the forepeak is a Lewmar winch neatly set in its own hatch.

A door to the starboard side of the console leads down to a surprisingly large cabin with a lounge that converts on an electric ram into a double bed, a fridge, TV, a shower and ceramic head. I noted too, a decent amount of secure rod storage and well-labelled electrical circuit boards.

THE RIDE

Adjustable seating and wheel make it easy to get comfortable at the helm and narrow mullions of the five-section windscreen leave visibility unrestricted. Engine controls are integrated into two levers on one control box to starboard of the wheel, but there are individual switches for trim as well as a set of Bennet trim tabs. The starboard lever gives starboard engine control, the port does port, but drop both together, and all three engines light up.

Triple 300hp Yamahas set on the integrated motor bracket emphasise the beamy hull design. There’s so much room the normally bulky looking engines appear kinda small, but as we found, they don’t lack performance, taking the 8300kg vessel to a top speed of 45kts.

Acceleration was swift, linear and uncannily quiet as the 4.2lt V6 engines hooked up and the three 16.5in x 17in props clawed their way out of the hole. By 14kts and 2500rpm, we were away, with virtually no bow lift or loss of vision. At 3500rpm we were doing 24kts, and the ride was so steady and sure over a one-metre harbour chop it felt like we were only just moving. Planting the throttle at 4000rpm saw us surge forward towards the open ocean and the engines sounded even more sweet and powerful. Three V6’s don’t make the sound of a V18, but they are pretty damned nice just the same.

The Grady headed into a short 1.5m swell offshore and showed absolute contempt for the conditions. Both into the swells and in a following sea, it rode through, rather than over, the bigger ones for one of the softest rides I have experienced. At full noise, I put the boat into a full-lock turn and it came around smoothly without pitching or rolling and dropping only about 5kts in the process, and with no spray blemishing the armour-plated screen.

A slow cruise at 21kts saw the boat at its most efficient, delivering fuel use of 74lt/h from all engines and a theoretical range of 376nm (696km). But it felt happier at 30kts, and there aren’t too many seas it can’t conquer comfortably at that speed where you will see 74lt/h and a 316nm safe range.

THE WRAP

The Canyon is currently the largest of the Grady-White fleet – I hear there’s a new 40-footer on the way – and it excels in everything it does. It’s dedicated more to fishing than entertaining and family use, but the cabin is better suited than most centre consoles for weekends away.

A fast, comfortable run to faraway fishing grounds in a robust and capable boat can be almost as fun as catching a decent fish, and heading home into a setting sun after a successful day is the stuff of boating memories. The Canyon 376 is just the boat for such occasions, if the $779,000 entry price is within your means.

Trade-A-Boat says...

This extreme fishing platform has the will and the way to get to where you want to be, and if it were a trailer boat I’d rate it a 10 for X-factor, ride and suitability for purpose.

Sea Trials 

Two on board, 40 per cent fuel.

SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE AS TESTED

$779,000

OPTIONS FITTED

Engine upgrade; air-conditioning; electronics; cockpit side door; refrigerated killtank; TV; bow cushions; more.

PRICED FROM

$650,000

GENERAL

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Planing monohull

LENGTH 11.19m

BEAM 4.02m

WEIGHT 5829kg

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 2 (night) 17 (day)

REC MAX HP 1050

FUEL 1476lt

WATER 204lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 3 x Yamaha F300

TYPE Fuel-injected V6 four-stroke outboard

RATED HP 300 (each)

DISPLACEMENT 4169cc (each)

WEIGHT 259kg (each)

GEAR RATIO 1.75:1

PROP 16.5in x 17in

SUPPLIED BY

SHORT MARINE

83 Parriwa Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088

PHONE 0401 159 053

EMAIL: sales@shortmarine.com.au

WEB shortmarine.com.au

Check out the full review in issue #501 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.